Bioshock gameplay discussion

[econ21]

Thanks, Out - that is very cool way to get a key.

[econ21]

A couple more questions:

(1) When you are "buying" plasmids and tonics at the gene banks, is there any way to tell which are which? Are they colour coded in any way or is it just trial and error? At the end of medical, I have 3 plasmids and only 2 slots for them. But some non-plasmid things you can get at the medical gene bank don't seem to need slots (the health and eve upgrades; not sure about some other stuff).

(2) One of the loading hints said don't shoot cameras, hack them. That never occurred to me. How do you do it? Is it just like turrets - ie zap them with the electro plasmid, then run over and press V? (Just asking as I assumed them would be too high to reach). I have not spotted any System Shock 2 type security panels I could hack.

[Out]

A couple more questions:

(1) When you are "buying" plasmids and tonics at the gene banks, is there any way to tell which are which? Are they colour coded in any way or is it just trial and error? At the end of medical, I have 3 plasmids and only 2 slots for them. But some non-plasmid things you can get at the medical gene bank don't seem to need slots (the health and eve upgrades; not sure about some other stuff).

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I believe, in regard to the tonics, they're labeled on the right of the screen as to what they are. Also, if you push a certain button [not sure what that button is for the computer version] you can see a "preview" of what the Tonic/Plasmid will do. I certainly hope that's in the computer version . If this doesn't help, check my OP - I've updated it with some links, one of them is to a discussion of the Plasmids/Tonics in the game, and it answers all of your questions. Just be warned, there are minor spoilers within.

(2) One of the loading hints said don't shoot cameras, hack them. That never occurred to me. How do you do it? Is it just like turrets - ie zap them with the electro plasmid, then run over and press V? (Just asking as I assumed them would be too high to reach). I have not spotted any System Shock 2 type security panels I could hack.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Yes. Zap 'n Hack. Some of them ARE too high, but many of them you can hack from the ground or jump and hack them. Apparently, while hacking, we defy gravity. As a bonus, once you've hacked a camera, it starts summoning Security Bots to protect YOU. Very nice to cover your back while you're off killing somewhere else.

P.S. Don't forget that Turrets, Cameras, and Security Bots are ALL researchable and should be photographed extensively once you get your camera.

Questions answered, I hope.

[Kekvit Irae]

I just got the game yesterday and I've almost won it. I'm impressed with how the game works. It's definitely the spiritual successor to System Shock 2.

My 360 Achievements are:

Ammo Inventor
The player has successfully invented all possible ammo types.
25
Acquired 8/31/2007

Two Fully Upgraded Weapons
The player has fully upgraded two weapons.
5
Acquired 8/31/2007

Fully Researched Houdini Splicer
The player has fully researched the Houdini Splicer.
10
Acquired 8/31/2007

Maxed One Track
The player has purchased every slot in one of the Plasmid or Tonic tracks
20
Acquired 8/31/2007

Fully Researched Spider Splicer.
The player has fully researched the Spider Splicer.
10
Acquired 8/31/2007

Prolific Photographer
The player has taken at least one photo in every research group.
5
Acquired 8/31/2007

Fully Researched Rosie
The player has fully researched the Rosie.
10
Acquired 8/31/2007

One Fully Upgraded Weapon
The player has fully upgraded one weapon.
5
Acquired 8/30/2007

Skilled Hacker
The player has successfully completed 50 hacks.
40
Acquired 8/30/2007

Fully Researched Thug Splicer
The player has fully researched the Thuggish Splicer.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

Basic Inventor
The player has successfully invented at least one item.
5
Acquired 8/30/2007

Fully Researched Gun Splicer
The player has fully researched the Leadhead Splicer.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

Upgraded a Weapon
The player has acquired at least one weapon upgrade.
5
Acquired 8/30/2007

Quality Research Photo
The player has taken a Research Photo of the highest grade.
20
Acquired 8/30/2007

Researched a Splicer
The player has taken at least one Research Photo of a Splicer.
5
Acquired 8/30/2007

Bought One Slot
The player has purchased one slot in any Plasmid or Tonic track
5
Acquired 8/30/2007

Hacked a Safe
The player has successfully hacked a safe.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

Hacked a Security Camera
The player has successfully hacked a security camera.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

Hacked a Turret
The player has successfully hacked a turret.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

Hacked a Vending Machine
The player has successfully hacked a vending machine.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

Hacked a Security Bot
The player has successfully hacked a security bot.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

One Successful Hack
The player has performed at least one successful hack.
5
Acquired 8/30/2007

Completed Welcome.
The player has successfully completed the Welcome To Rapture Level.
10
Acquired 8/30/2007

Toaster in the Tub
The player has shocked an enemy in the water.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Defeated Dr. Steinman
The player has defeated the crazed Dr. Steinman
15
Acquired 8/30/2007

Defeated Peach Wilkins
The player has defeated Peach Wilkins
15
Acquired 8/30/2007

Restored the Forest
The player has restored the forests of Arcadia
15
Acquired 8/31/2007

Completed Cohen's Masterpiece
The player has completed Sander Cohen's great masterpiece
30
Acquired 8/31/2007

Defeated Andrew Ryan
The player has defeated Andrew Ryan
30
Acquired 8/31/2007

http://live.xbox.com/en-US/profile/A...To=Kekvit+Irae

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'm currently going through the game saving the Little Sisters rather than harvesting them. I found that the rewards are VERY useful. Usually 100-200 ADAM every three or so children I save, given to me at the Garden. Plus I'm going for the Little Sister Achievement. I'm not sure if I can get the Dealt With All Little Sisters one because I may have missed one in Welcome To Rapture, and I cant go back there.

I'm currently taking a break from playing and going to install M2TW: Kingdoms.

[Out]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I'm currently going through the game saving the Little Sisters rather than harvesting them. I found that the rewards are VERY useful. Usually 100-200 ADAM every three or so children I save, given to me at the Garden. Plus I'm going for the Little Sister Achievement. I'm not sure if I can get the Dealt With All Little Sisters one because I may have missed one in Welcome To Rapture, and I cant go back there.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The one in the first level isn't real. All of the Little Sisters in the game you can actually go back and deal with, and it's worth it, if you don't want to bother playing through again. And hopefully someday I'll get Xbox Live so I can link you to that/play with you guys over the internet.

[Kekvit Irae]

M2TW: Kingdoms sucked greatly, so I went back and managed to win Bioshock and get the good ending yesterday. Now all I need to do is go back through the game again and try for all the other achievements and evil ending.

[econ21]

Belatedly finished the game just now. I think the readers' verdict at Gamespot is about right: 8.8.

It is visually stunning and creates an atmospheric unique world. The gameplay is very smooth and much more forgiving than System Shock 2. Some of the ideas are inspired, especially the Little Sisters and Big Daddies - they were the highlight of the game for me, especially the scenes were you freed the Little Sisters.

But the rest of the game was less involving than System Shock 2 in terms of the story and empathising with fate of the inhabitants of Rapture. The logs made less of an impression on me - one or two excepted - and there seemed to be fewer subplots in terms of what happened to incidental characters.

It was also not that scarey - perhaps partly because the gameplay was more forgiving (I died a lot and came back to finish off weakened foes). Also, the splicers tended to jump out and rush you more - whereas in System Shock 2, you heard the enemies first. It was listening for them, and having to ambush them, that really cranked up the tension. In Bioshock, the action was too loud and fast to freak me out. I guess I am just not that big a fan of shooters.

I confess I started to find the game a bit of drudge around the time of the big plot revelation. Perhaps they should have varied the opponents, weapons and plasmids more throughout the game. It started getting more of the same old, same old and I ended up just playing because I wanted to unravel the plot, not because I enjoyed the gameplay.

I did not think much of the final boss fight (the boss seemed like he had walked on from the wrong game), but I found the good ending video moving.

All in all, I am very happy this game has been a big commercial success. More games should be like this and Ken Levine, in particular, should never be allowed to become unemployed.



EDIT: Very nice analysis of the Bioshock story here (spoilers throughout); I had not realised it was full of so much symbolism:

http://my.opera.com/noisewar/blog/20...hock-explained

[Kekvit Irae]

I would recommend Bioshock as a rental, not as a buy. Looking back, I see it as extremely linear (despite the game's advertising that it's not), and a veteran (like me) can blow through it in two nights.